An early look at Auburn's recruiting needs for National Signing Day in 2018

With a fifth-straight top 10 recruiting class complete in 2017, Auburn now turns its attention to its needs for the 2018 class.

Following the 2017 season, Auburn will lose 15 scholarship seniors, with several prominent juniors, including running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, eligible for the NFL Draft.

Three players are already committed to Auburn's 2018 recruiting class, including four-star quarterback Joey Gatewood, who committed to the Tigers in Dec. 2015.

Here is a position-by-position look at what will need on the recruiting trail for National Signing Day in 2018.

QUARTERBACK

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: John Franklin IIIEligibility remaining after 2017: Sean White, Jarrett Stidham, Tyler Queen, Woody Barrett, Malik WillisWhat Auburn needs in 2018: Assuming Jarrett Stidham does not put up numbers to warrant an early departure for the NFL,which would be fairly ridiculous for a player with just three career starts entering the 2017 season, Auburn is set to have five scholarship quarterbacks returning in 2018, after which Sean White completes his eligibility.

With Stidham or White in line to be a returning starter in 2018, Auburn would not be in need of a junior college transfer unless neither panned out.

With Woody Barrett set to be a redshirt-sophomore in 2018, Malik Willis presumably a redshirt-freshman and Gatewood, the No. 3-dual-threat quarterback in the 247Sports Composite in 2018, already committed, Auburn has young options available to take over in 2019. If Stidham is still around then, younger players will have to wait.

Keeping Gatewood will be the top priority for Auburn's 2018 recruiting class, which could use one more signal caller but it's not a necessity.

RUNNING BACK

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: n/aEligibility remaining after 2017: Kamryn Pettway, Kerryon Johnson, Malik Miller, Kam Martin, Alaric Williams, Devan BarrettWhat Auburn needs in 2018: If Kamryn Pettway has another 1,000-yard season it's hard to see him returning for a senior season. The same could be said for Kerryon Johnson, who nearly had 900 rushing yards in 2016.

With that said, Auburn could be looking for a junior college running back if it has concerns about the durability of Malik Miller, who is seeking a medical redshirt, and Kam Martin,

The Tigers have a commitment from three-star all-purpose back Shaun Shivers but need at least one if not two more running backs in 2018.

H-BACK/TIGHT END

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: n/aEligibility remaining after 2017: Chandler Cox, Jalen Harris, Sal Cannella, Keenan Sweeney, John Samuel ShenkerWhat Auburn needs in 2018: Having just signed two tight ends in 2017 and no outgoing players at either H-back or tight end following the upcoming season, it doesn't seem like the position will be a high priority. One true H-back could be useful, since Chandler Cox, Jalen Harris and Sal Cannella will all be seniors in 2018.

WIDE RECEIVER

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: Jason SmithEligibility remaining after 2017: Ryan Davis, Darius Slayton, Will Hastings, Nate Craig-Myers, Kyle Davis, Eli Stove, Marquis McClain, Noah Igbinoghene, JaTarvious WhitlowWhat Auburn needs in 2018: With the core of the receivers set to be juniors in 2018, when only Ryan Davis will be a senior, Auburn may only need one or two wide outs.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: Austin Golson, Braden Smith, Darius James, Deon MixEligibility remaining after 2017: Bailey Sharp, Marquel Harrell, Tyler Carr, Kaleb Kim, Mike Horton, Prince Tega Wanogho Jr., Prince Michael Sammons, Brodarious Hamm, Calvin Ashley, Nick Brahms, Austin TroxellWhat Auburn needs in 2018: Auburn came up short of its goal of landing five or six offensive linemen in 2017, though Calvin Ashley is a major addition. With three starters set to leave after the 2017 season, the Tigers should be aiming for at least five offensive linemen in 2018. If there is any roster attrition, that number could go up even more, perhaps as high as seven.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: n/aEligibility remaining after 2017: Dontavius Russell, Byron Cowart, Andrew Williams, Jauntavius Johnson, Derrick Brown, Nick Coe, Marlon Davidson, Jeff Holland, Antwuan Jackson Jr., Paul James III, Tashawn Manning, Markaviest Bryant, Alec Jackson, Tyrone TruesdellWhat Auburn needs in 2018: With back-to-back years of major influxes of talent on the defensive line, Auburn is well situated for the 2017 season and it would take a massive season for Donatvius Russell or Jeff Holland to leave early.

Four-star junior college transfer Daquan Newkirk, who was to be in Auburn's 2016 class, is already committed. It's hard to see Auburn ever targeting less than three defensive linemen with Rodney Garder on staff, but at least two - one end and one tackle - seems realistic as this point.

LINEBACKER

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: Tre' Williams, Cameron ToneyEligibility remaining after 2017: DeShaun Davis, Darrell Williams, Montavious Atkinson, Richard McBryde, Tre Threat, K.J. Britt, T.D. Moultry, Chandler WootenWhat Auburn needs in 2018: Adding three linebackers in 2017 was extremely important as Auburn is set to lose at least two after the upcoming season. The Tigers should be looking for two, if not three, linebackers.

DEFENSIVE BACK

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: Tray Matthews, Nick Ruffin, Stephen Roberts, Michael SherwoodEligibility remaining after 2017: Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Javaris Davis, Jeremiah Dinson, Markell Boston, John Broussard Jr., Marlon Character, Jayvaughn Myers, Daniel Thomas, Malcolm Askew, Carlito Gonzalez, Traivon Leonard, Jordyn PetersWhat Auburn needs in 2018: Deep safety will be a position of need after the 2017 season, when the top three returning players all complete their eligibility. A junior college transfer could be likely, as only Markell Boston, who has six tackles in 13 career games, has any experience among the deep safeties at this point.

Auburn should be aiming for two deep safeties and at least one corner, which could increase if Carlton Davis were to leave early.

SPECIALISTS

Completing eligibility after 2017 season: Daniel Carlson, Tyler Stovall, Ike PowellEligibility remaining after 2017: Ian Shannon, Zach Wade, Bill Taylor, Anders CarlsonWhat Auburn needs in 2018: Auburn loses one battery after 2017 but has the next one ready, with the exception of the holder position, which typically goes to a backup quarterback. Specialists should not be a priority in 2018.